California high school football rankings: St. John Bosco headlines preseason MaxPreps Top 25

While the Braves earn the nod, Mater Dei cannot be counted out to challenge for CIF, national title.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Aaron Williams

By Aaron Williams

Aug 11, 2022, 1:00pm

Who will reign supreme as the top team in California by the end of the season?

St. John Bosco or Mater Dei: Who's the Top Football Team in California? 80,386 views 1:01

The high school football season in California kicks off Friday with a handful of games and a bigger slate ramping up the following two weekends. After going 10-2 last season, St. John Bosco (Bellflower) headlines our look at this year's contenders in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25. The Braves were also named the preseason national No. 1.

Under head coach Jason Negro, St. John Bosco has finished inside the top 10 nationally for six straight seasons and are again loaded with talent.

Matayo Uiagalelei is the No. 2-ranked edge rusher in the Class of 2023 according to 247Sports and a matchup nightmare on offense at tight end. Four-star Louisville pledge Pierce Clarkson takes over as the full-time starter at quarterback after throwing for over 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns while splitting time last season.

In addition to Uiagalelei, Class of 2024 linebacker Kyngstonn Viliama-Asa returns to what should be an elite defense after missing his sophomore season with a knee injury.

If St. John Bosco is No. 1, then Mater Dei has to be considered 1A as the Monarchs and Braves have battled for state supremacy for the past several seasons.

Under head coach Bruce Rollinson, the Monarchs have become one of the premier programs not only in California, but the entire nation. Mater Dei went wire-to-wire last season as the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 and won its second national title in five years after an equally impressive run in 2017. The Monarchs are 102-12 since 2012.

Mater Dei will be led again by MaxPreps Sophomore of the Year Elijah Brown, who is 17-0 as a starter and has thrown for 3,500-plus yards and 45 touchdowns with a 73 percent completion rate.

Read on for a complete look at California's preseason top 25 for 2022.